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City Report · NJ

Garfield

Pop. 32,783·114th most expensive in New Jersey·Garfield rents are up 7.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,469/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
+$507
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Garfield · $2,469
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Garfield's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,469/mo
Expected by trend
$2,441/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Garfield's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,370
1 BR
$1,600
2 BR
$1,830
3 BR
$2,250
4 BR+
$2,850
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,830/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,469 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$29,628/yr
At $2,469/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.9% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Garfield, NJ is majority renter-occupied, 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
32,783
Median income
$79,700
Median age
38.8
Renters
55.3%
Age distribution
20.5%
24%
29.8%
14.7%
Under 1820.5%
18–3424%
35–5429.8%
55–6411.1%
65+14.7%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
50.4%
47.3%
White50.4%
Black6.2%
Hispanic47.3%
Asian3.8%
Education (25+)
14.2%
37.6%
22.3%
25.8%
No HS diploma14.2%
HS diploma37.6%
Some college22.3%
Bachelor's+25.8%
Housing tenure
44.7%
55.3%
Owner44.7%
Renter55.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Garfield, NJ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,704 → $2,469
up 44.9%
Income
$66,296 → $79,700
up 20.2%
Population
32,481 → 32,783
up 0.9%
Renter share
55% → 55.3%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
23.2% → 25.8%
+2.6 pts
Median age
38.3 → 38.8
+0.5 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Garfield, NJ has increased from $1,704 to $2,469, a 44.9% change over five years. Median household income rose from $66,296 to $79,700 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.2% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 25.8% of adults here, versus 23.2% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Garfield, NJ reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Garfield

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View Garfield rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Garfield on your salary?

At $2,469/mo, how Garfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Garfield rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Garfield. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Garfield

About renting in Garfield, NJ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Garfield is $2,469/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,370/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,830/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,600/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,250/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($79,700/yr), Garfield ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Garfield an affordable city for renters?

Garfield is considered moderate for renters. At $2,469/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($79,700/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Garfield slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Garfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $99,000/year (~$48/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,469/mo in Garfield. The local median household income is $79,700/yr, meaning the typical Garfield household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Garfield?

Rent in Garfield has increased 7.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Garfield rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Garfield is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #114 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,469/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Garfield?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Garfield ($2,469/mo): Passaic ($2,077/mo), Lodi ($2,349/mo).

What percentage of Garfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.3% of Garfield households are renters, while 44.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Garfield has a strong rental market.

How does Garfield rent compare to the national average?

Garfield's median rent of $2,469/mo is $507 (26%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #114 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,469/mo, rent takes ~37% of Garfield's median household income ($79,700/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Garfield 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Garfield affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Garfield
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Garfield, NJ

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